Shares: Taking Stock

LONDON Forfaiting Co., providing finance for international trade, tumbled 15.5p to 358p, uncomfortably close to its January 12-month low. There is talk the company is a victim of the Far Eastern turmoil and is facing some daunting bad debts. LFC, which produced profits of pounds 38.5m last year, intends to meet analysts in June but a trading statement is not, it seems, planned before then.

PRIMARY Health Properties, which specialises in providing properties for GPs and NHS trusts, should increase profits from pounds 675,000 to pounds 1.2m this year and reach pounds 1.4m next, believes stockbroker Teather & Greenwood. The shares, 95p, are regarded as a buy.

RECENT newcomer JWE Telecom, 115p a couple of weeks ago, rose another 14p to 161.5p. There is talk one of the major telecom operations is interested in absorbing the group.